DESCRIPTION OF CORALS. 125 
under and around its body ; the mesogastric folds of the abdominal cavity, con- 
stituting the cell or polypidom, into whose hollows the tenant can partially or 
wholly retire. The secreting process, however, by which the calcareous matter 
is separated and retained for the service of the polype, greatly depends upon the 
extension or limitation internally and externally of the soft parts, being often 
more applied laterally or to the outer surface or walls than at the lower extremity. 
‘“The stony substances so formed are called corals; the upper surface is very 
generally furnished with radiating plates, which were deposited by the meso- 
gastric folds of the stomach: when these plates do not reach the centre, there is 
a vacant space in the middle between them.’”—“‘ The cells are either single or 
cupped, or they are branched like a tree, or they are aggregated together so as 
to resemble a cauliflower, or even imitate the brain ; all these variations result- 
ing from the manner in which the animal emits from the whole surface, or from 
a particular part of the sides of the body, the bud by which the new individuals 
of the general mass or society are produced.” For a further inquiry into the 
physiological characters of these extraordinary beings consult the works of 
Ehrenberg, Milne-Edwards, Dujardin, Farre, Lister, Grant, &c. 
Ehrenberg has separated the coral animals into two divisions, the Bryozoa and 
Anthozoa. The principal corals figured and described from Bracklesham are 
radiated Polypes, or Anthozoa, having a greater diversity of structure than the 
Bryozoa. 
Corals are rare fossils at Bracklesham Bay, except the Siderastrea Websteri. 
The Anthozoa are more numerous in the Paris basin, and other calcareous eocene 
deposits. The nearest recent types of their genera are found in shallow seas, 
and in a much warmer climate than that of England at the present day. 
Notes on the Species, by Mr. Lonspa.e. 
Crass ANTHOZOA. 
Family Funerna. 
Turbinolia sulcata, Lamarck. (Tab. I. fig. 1 and 1*.) 
Inversely conical, ribbed externally, number and range of ribs variable ; inter- 
spaces deep, crossed by ridges variously united or simple ; lower extremity a union 
of ribs; lamella 12-24 (48 ?), unequal, single, or united in groups of three, sides 
studded with tubercles; centre an axis connected nearly throughout with the 
s 
